Wheelchair Guidelines

Wheelchairs are valuable medical equipment to users and caretakers of immobile people with orthopedic, neurological or cardiopulmonary conditions; but when people first learn they or their loved ones need a wheelchair, the news can be devastating. After adjusting to the reality of the situation, people usually have many questions about selecting and operating a wheelchair. Users and caregivers should follow wheelchair guidelines both for selecting a wheelchair and for using one safely.

Buying

• Consider the age and weight of the user. Because a standard door is 31.5 inches wide, the width of the seat is important. A wheelchair seat wider than 16.1 inches is too wide for going through a doorway. Fabric is better upholstery than imitation leather because it's tougher and "breathes," Senior Service notes. Choose mag wheels -- made of magnesium metal alloy -- instead of spokes, as mag wheels are stronger and more durable.

Seatbelts and Headrests

• A wheelchair seat belt should fit snugly over the occupant's bony pelvis structure. Don't use harnesses or other substitutes for seat belts, although these may be used with a seat belt for additional support. A seat belt should be tightly attached to the wheelchair's frame.

  Headrests should be less than an inch from the back of one's head, with the headrest's center lining up with the center of a user's ears, according to wheelchair.net.

Entering a Wheelchair

• Wheelchairs open up when you push on their sides. Even if you can operate a wheelchair alone, ask someone else to hold the wheelchair handles to prevent the chair from moving. When entering, place both hands on the front portion of the arm rests and then carefully lower your body into the chair. After repositioning the foot rests to the front, place feet on the foot plates, with your heels resting toward the bases of each footplate.

Safety

• Ensure arms, feet, legs and fingers are in safe positions and can't be caught in the chair. Never lift a wheelchair by its arm rests or any other removable parts. Secure brakes when transferring or lifting someone, as well as when a user is resting or waiting.

  Any loose clothing should be tucked in and rugs should be secured. Make sure the seat belt is buckled and that it's properly adjusted.

Transporting

• Use both hands to push someone into a wheelchair. A passenger should be sitting upright because a tilted or reclining position can cause injury. Do not restrain a user's head because doing so can leave the neck unprotected. Carefully move the wheelchair and do not rush or turn it quickly. Never tip a wheelchair forward or backward too far. Watch for pot holes, pedestrians, soft grounds and other hazards.